What is Spike
The way we produce and use energy has changed, putting more demand on the electricity grid during peak times. That’s why we've introduced Spike.
Spike is Origin’s energy-saving reward program. Lower your energy during a SpikeHour and earn an Energy Happy Hour – Spike rewards you for saving energy with a free hour of electricity up to 35 kWh (except 4pm-9pm).
Who can join
Spike is available to Origin residential electricity customers with a smart (digital) meter that can be read remotely.
To join Spike, your residential property must:
have a smart meter that can be read remotely
not have anyone using life support equipment
not have centralised electricity (common in large apartment buildings).
View the full eligibility criteria in Spike’s terms and conditions.
How to join a SpikeHour
SpikeHours are organised when demand on the energy grid is high. You will be asked to save as much energy as possible for a one-hour period to limit demand on the energy grid during that period. This will usually involve you switching off or not using energy-intensive appliances during that time.
We will compare your energy use during a SpikeHour against your usual usage at that time. Specifically:
For SpikeHours on a weekday, we compare your usage to the last 10 weekdays
For SpikeHours on a weekend, we compare your usage to the last 4 weekend days. So, if a SpikeHour is on a Sunday, we'll look at your usage the day before, the previous Saturday and Sunday, and the Sunday before that.
If you use less energy during a SpikeHour compared to your usual energy usage at that time, you’ll earn an Energy Happy Hour.
How the SpikeHour works:
Step 1 | You'll receive an email, SMS or push notification letting you know about an upcoming SpikeHour. |
Step 2 | To participate in the SpikeHour, click or tap the link in the email, SMS or push notification before it starts. You’ll be taken to My Account where you must tap the 'Count me in!' button. If you choose not to join, you don’t have to do anything. |
Step 3 | If you agree to participate in the SpikeHour, we’ll send you a reminder 10-15 mins before the event starting time. Reduce your energy use by postponing power-hungry appliances, such as:
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Step 4 | After the SpikeHour ends, we’ll let you know how you did within 2-3 days.
If you keep your energy use during the SpikeHour below your average at the same time over the previous 10 weekdays (if the SpikeHour occurs on a weekday) or the previous 4 days on a weekends (if the SpikeHour occurs on a weekend), you’ll earn an Energy Happy Hour, which you can use to book in an hour of free electricity up to 35 kWh outside of peak times (4pm-9pm). |